Referee honoured for officiating 1,000 games

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Steve Cruickshank officiated at his 1,000th game on Saturday, but he was a bit surprised at how many people showed up to celebrate with him.

The Paris native and professional referee marked the achievement in Kansas City, Missouri, one of several cities with teams in the Central Hockey League, where Cruickshank has worked for 10 years.

And so it was at the Independence Center that head referee Bryan Lewis, formerly of the NHL, presented Cruickshank with framed photos and a puck, as well as a ref’s jersey signed by all of the NHL’s officials and emblazoned with “1000” on the back.

“Paris was very well represented,” said Cruickshank in a phone interview Monday, adding that his friends and family were successful in surprising him. “Very, very much so. I never saw it coming. I was overwhelmed. It was kind of surreal.”

Cruickshank said he knew the CHL was going to mark the occasion, but was shocked to see his family and friends.

To honour the milestone locally, Stewart, Attleberry and Emerson asked County of Brant council to approve placing Cruickshank’s official jersey worn during game 1,000 on the wall above the players’ benches at Brant Sports Complex in Paris.

The jersey ceremony likely won’t happen until July, when Cruickshank will be home for a visit.

“It’s kind of ironic,” Cruickshank joked. “A lot of teams want to have my jersey hanging in the rafters, only they want me hanging in it, but that’s the life of a referee. It’s going to be surreal to have my friends’ kids play under my jersey.”

Stewart felt it was ironic for another reason, referring to Cruickshank’s competitive days playing with the Paris Mounties.

“He wasn’t the most respectful player,” laughed Stewart.

Cruickshank attributed his longevity as a referee to loving his job and having “the best of bosses.”

He recalled playing hockey in the Industrial League before starting as an official, but not having any idea he would make a career out of the sport, when John Emerson (Paul’s brother) recognized him one evening while enjoying a beverage at a Brantford establishment.

Cruickshank said John was a great referee who told him his knowledge of the game and hockey skills would make him a good fit as an official.

“He showed me the ropes and helped me advance,” Cruickshank said.

Attleberry has known Cruickshank since he was 4 or 5. They would often play sports together on the Cruickshank’s farm in Paris.

Attleberry has visited Cruickshank about 10 times in the U.S.

“It’s a pretty rare achievement for a referee,” he said. “You’ve got to stay healthy to ref that many games.”

Attleberry said he admires Cruickshank for having the confidence to pursue officiating in the U.S.

It’s a confidence that has allowed Cruickshank to pursue other endeavours such as deck building, sales and supervising for the CHL.

Cruickshank said he will likely take on more supervisory responsibilities with the CHL as his career progresses.

“They’ve been so good to me,” he said. “If something didn’t happen, I’d be surprised.”

Stewart said officiating an average of nearly 70 games a year is impressive.

“That’s quite a milestone, even for the NHL,” he said.

Stewart said he got to know Cruickshank through local sports.

“He was one of the best athletes around,” Stewart said. “ I think I knew somebody who knew him.”

The CHL isn’t a feeder league for the NHL referees, so it’s less likely for them to move up to that level.

Attleberry says Cruickshank resigned himself at a certain age to the idea he wouldn’t move up to the NHL, but said his old friend has been a strong mentor to younger refs who have gone on to the big league.

“He’s gotten lots of thank you letters over the years,” Attleberry said.